Hunt for London-based Scots policeman missing since Shard visit

PC Gordon Semple, originally from Inverness

PC Gordon Semple, 59 was last seen on Friday, 1 April, when he left his home in Dartford that morning to go to work in Westminister.

His disappearance is being investigated by Scotland Yard’s homicide unit.

Hundreds of people have backed an online social media campaign to find Mr Semple in the last few days.

North politician David Stewart, an old school friend, said he hoped Mr Semple would be found safe and well.

The former north MSP and MP, and current Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn seat at Holyrood, said: “My thoughts are obviously with his family at this worrying time.

“Gordon was an old school friend of mine, who I knew for many years at Inverness High School.

“I went to my first Scotland international with him – I think it was a qualifier for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany – and I met up with him when I was in the Commons.”

Mr Semple’s brother Ronnie, an Inverness taxi driver, said the family was being kept updated by the Metropolitan Police.

The missing man is understood to have left the Highland capital aged 18 to work in the banking sector.

He lives in Greenhithe, Dartford, and is a serving police constable based in Westminster Borough, working in the anti-social behaviour team at Westminster City Council.

The Met officer’s partner reported him missing after he failed to return home from work and the last known sighting of him was at 3pm on Friday when he was seen on CCTV on Great Guildford Street, near London Bridge.

He had been at the Shard earlier in the day, leaving at about 12.30pm, and detectives want to find out where he went between that time and the last time he features on CCTV.

Scotland Yard said that the investigation to find Mr Semple continues to be treated as a high-risk missing person’s inquiry, but due to concerns for his welfare, the Homicide and Major Crime Command is now leading the efforts to find him.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the investigation, said: “We continue to retain an open mind concerning the circumstances of Gordon’s disappearance, and consideration has been given to whether he may have become a victim of a crime.

“However, at this stage this is just one line of inquiry - it is still hoped that he will return home safe and well.”

DCI Lyons, who released CCTV footage of the last known sighting of Mr Semple on Great Guildford Street, added: “We are yet to identify if Gordon met with anyone in that area, or was merely passing through.

“He can be seen looking at his mobile telephone, but not making or receiving a call.

“I am very keen to hear from anyone who spoke with Gordon at any point since Friday April 1 or anyone with information which could assist our inquiries and establish his current whereabouts.

“I would like to reassure anyone concerned about calling the police, that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and strictest confidence.”

Gordon is described as a white man, 5ft 10in, of large build and with a shaved head. He was last seen wearing brown shoes, dark trousers and a lilac shirt.

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